Self-locking writing implement holder

ABSTRACT

A plastic, integrally formed writing implement holder comprising a triangular base plate and three trapezoidal side panels joined together along hinge lines. Aligning tabs are formed on opposite sides of the base plate adjacent to its apex, and locking tabs are formed along the free vertical edge of one of the side panels. The aligning tabs are inserted into horizontally extending slots adjacent the lower edge of two of the side panels and then the locking tabs are inserted into vertically extending slots adjacent to the free edge of one of the side panels. Camming surfaces on the locking tabs momentarily deform at least one of the side panels when the implement holder is snapped together. The inherent resiliency of the holder causes it to return to its unstressed condition and enhances the locking action. The erected support is triangular in shape, when viewed in horizontal cross section, and the interior face of the base plate has shallow compartments formed therein to assist in retaining writing implements in an upright position. When viewed in front, rear or side elevation, the holder assumes the shape of a foreshortened pyramid.

United States Patent 1 Woofter 51 Feb. 27, 1973 [54] SELF-LOCKING WRITING FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS IMPLEMENT HOLDER 603,337 1/ 1926 France ..248/174 [75] Inventor: Cecil B. Wootter, Newton, Iowa Primary Examiner-Roy D. Frazier [73] Asslgnee' Els Vernon Company Newton Assistant Examiner-Abraham Frankel Attorney-Schellin & Hoffman [22] Filed: June 24, 1971 [52] U.S. Cl. ..21l/69.1, 211/73, 248/152, 248/174 [51] Int. Cl ..A45c 1l/36, A45c 11/34, A471 7/03 [58] Field of Search ..211/69.1, 69.5, 60 A, 60 T, 211/60 M, 69, 73; 248/174, 152, 459; 206/17.1, 67

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,090,142 3/1914 Fischer ..248/174 2,443,645 6/1948 Turan ...248/459 X 2,965,238 12/1960 Sinclair ..2l1/69.9 3,534,738 10/1970 Huck ..248/174 X 2,848,979' 8/1958 Van Voorhis ..2l l/69 X 3,471,032 10/1969 Thompson ..211/69.1 2,935,206 5/1960 Smith ..211/65 2,899,078 8/1959 Magnus ..248/174 X 1,705,116 3 1929 Howland ..21 1 73 UX 1,246,385 11/1917 Bimeler ....273/l46 UX 1,831,712 ll/1931 Keenan ..21l/695 2,315,164 3/1943 Schiller ..273/146 3,327,688 6/ 1967 Smith ..40/ 107 UX 3,468,048 9/1969 Smith ..40/ 107 UX [5 7] ABSTRACT A plastic, integrally formed writing implement holder comprising a triangular base plate and three trapezoidal side panels joined together along hinge lines. Aligning tabs are formed on opposite sides of the base plate adjacent to its apex, and locking tabs are formed along the free vertical edge of one of the side panels. The aligning tabs are inserted into horizontally extending slots adjacent the lower edge of two of the side panels and then the locking tabs are inserted into vertically extending slots adjacent to the free edge of one of the side panels. Camming surfaces on the locking tabs momentarily deform at least one of the side panels when the implement holder is snapped together. The inherent resiliency of the holder causes it to return to its unstressed condition and enhances the locking action. The erected support is triangular in shape, when viewed in horizontal cross section, and the interior face of the base plate has shallow compartments formed therein to assist in retaining writing implements in an upright position. When viewed in front, rear or side elevation, the holder assumes the shape of a foreshortened pyramid.

5 Claims, 6 Drawing Figures PATENTEDFEBZYIENS m T N E m.

CECIL a WOOFTER M WW ATTORNEYS SELF-LOCKING WRITING IMPLEMENT HOLDER FIELD OF THE INVENTION The instant invention relates generally to a holder for writing implements and the like, and more particularly to a novel, selflocking plastic blank for fabricating and erecting a unique triangular holder.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART Known writing implement holders have been fabricated and assembled in shapes and sizes too diverse to enumerate. However, all of these holders have suffered from one or more of the following defects.

Holders for writing implements have most frequently assumed the form of a hollow, rigid cylindrical member with an open top and a closed bottom; holders of this type are disclosed in U. S. Pat. No. 3,468,048, granted on Sept. 23, 1969 to Irving Smith. Such holders, however, cannot be folded flat for easy storage and/or shipment through the mails, and consequently may not be utilized as an inexpensive advertising or promotional medium.

Another holder for writing implements assumes the form of a frusto-conical body with a small open top and a larger coneshaped bottom. The overlapping ends of the body are glued and stapled together, and the body and the bottom are joined together by interlocking lugs and notches. The overall visual impression created is that of an Indian tepee. A holder of this type is disclosed in U. S. Pat. No. 3,471,032, granted on Oct. 7, 1969 to W. 0. Thompson. While the implement holder of the tepee type could conceivably be folded flat for purposes of storage and/or shipment, it must be carefully joined together, it is ill-suited for mass-produced execution in plastic, etc.

SUMMARY Thus, with the deficiencies of the prior art writing implement holders enumerated above clearly in mind, the instant invention contemplates an inexpensive, integrally molded, self-locking plastic blank that can be shipped in a flattened condition and can be easily erected'into a rigid, stable structure possessing the ability to retain many writing implements therein.

without tilting over. The instant holder is characterized by its self-locking ability, which is attributable (l) to the aligning tabs formed along its base plate and the corresponding horizontal slots in two of its three side panels and (2) to the locking tabs formed along the free end of one panel and the corresponding vertical slots formed at the free end of the adjacent panel. The locking tabs exert a camming action on one of the side panels and causes same to momentarily deform. The inherent resiliency of the side panel causes it to return to its unstressed condition snapping the locking tabs into locking engagement with the vertical slots.

Other objects and advantages of the instant invention such as its attractive appearance & the ease with which decals, calendars and advertising materials can be applied to the flat walls of its side panels, will become apparent in light of the following description of the invention when construed in connection with the accompanying sheet of drawings.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a writing implement holder constructed in accordance with the principles of the instant invention, such holder being shown in erected condition;

FIG. 2 is a top plan view of the erected holder;

FIG. 3 is a top plan view, on a reduced scale, of the blank from which the holder is erected;

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary, vertical cross-sectional view adjacent to one corner of the erected holder, such view being taken along line 44 in FIG. 1 and in the direction indicated;

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary, horizontal cross-sectional view through one corner of the erected holder, such view being taken along line 5-5 in FIG. 1 and in the direction indicated; and

FIG. 6 is a vertical cross-sectional view through the blank from which the holder is erected, such view being taken on line 6-6 in FIG. 3 and in the direction indicated.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring now in greater detail to the drawings wherein identical reference numerals refer to identical elements, FIGS. 1 and 2 depict an erected writing implement holder executed in plastic in accordance with the principles of the instant invention and identified generally by reference numeral 10. Holder 10, which is triangular in shape when viewed in horizontal crosssection, includes a first side panel 12, a second side panel 14, a first hinge line 16 situated between the first and second side panels, a third side panel 18 and a second hinge line 20 situated between the second and third panels. A triangular base plate 22 is'joined to side panel 14 along hinge line 24. Hinge line 16 extends upwardly along the corner defined between panels 12 and 14, while hinge line 20 extends upwardly along the corner defined between panels 14 and 18.

Side panels l2, l4 and 18 are trapezoidal in shape when viewed in front elevation, with the bottom and top edges being parallel to each other. The side edges gradually taper toward each other, so that the panels are widest at their bottoms and narrowest at their tops as shown in FIG. 1. The panels also taper inwardly, as shown in FIG. 2, so that the resultant holder is larger at base plate 22 than at its open, upper end. Panels 12 and 14 are identical in size, but panel 18 is slightly larger so that it forms an over-lapped corner at its juncture with panel 12, as seen in FIGS. 1 and 2.

Continuing onward, FIG. 3 depicts holder 10 as a knocked-down blank. Hinge line 24, which joins base plate 22 to intermediate side panel 14 is visible, and the elements that comprise the locking means for the instant invention are also clearly shown.

Side panel 18 has vertically extending slots 26 and 28 adjacent to its outer, vertical free edge and a horizontally extending slot 30 adjacent to its lower, horizontal edge. Side panel 12 has locking tabs 32 and 34 disposed along its outer, vertical free edge at corresponding locations, and a horizontally extending slot 36 is adjacent to its lower, horizontal edge. Base plate 22 has aligning tabs 38 and 40 disposed on opposite sides thereof adjacent to its apex.

The upper face of base plate 22, which is visible in FIG. 2 but hidden in FIG. 3, has a series of raised ribs 42 on its upper surface. Ribs 42 extend parallel to side panel 18 and are intercepted by a second series of ribs 44 extending parallel to side panel 12. Ribs 42 and 44 cooperate to define shallow compartments 46 that resemble parallelograms and prevent the writing implements from sliding across erected holder 10 and disturbing its stable condition.

The manner of erecting the blank of FIG. 3 into the erected condition of FIG. 1 is exceedingly simple. First, with the blank spread out flat as it is removed from a mailing envelope, base plate 22 is pivoted 90 along hinge line 24 into a plane at right angles to the side panels 12, 14 and 18. Then, panel 12 is pivoted about hinge line 20 until aligning tab 40 on base plate 22 passes through slot 36 in panel 12 and panel 12 abuts against one edge of base plate 22. Panel 18 is then pivoted about hinge line 16 until aligning tab 38 on base plate 22 passes through horizontal slot 30 and locking tabs 32 and 34 pass through slots 26 and 28, respectively. Camming surfaces 48 are formed on tabs 32 and 34 (see FIG. so as to momentarily deform side panel 18 as it is swung about its hinge line 20 into locking engagement with side panel 12 and base member 22. The inherent resiliency of the plastic side panel causes it to quickly return to its unstressed condition and snap into firm, locking engagement behind camming surfaces 48 on the locking tabs.

FIG. 4 shows the details of the engagement between aligning tab 40 on base plate 22 and horizontal slot 36 in panel 12. Tabs 38 and 40 are equal in thickness to base plate 22, and slots 30 and 36 are much larger than tab 38 and 40. Legs 50, 52 and 54 at the bottom corners of the triangular holder maintain base plate 22 a short distance above the desk or table top upon which erected holder stands.

FIG. 5 shows the details of the locking engagement between locking tab 32 on side panel 12 and slot 26 in side panel, 18. Camming surface 48 on tab 32 is also visible. The thickness of tab 32 in the vicinity of camming surface 48 is slightly greater than the width of slot 26, thus causing the above noted momentary deformation of side panel 12. The remainder of tab 32 is thinner than the width of slot 26, so that the tab rests easily therein after holder 10 has been snapped into locking engagement.

FIG. 6 depicts the thickness of hinge lines 16 and 20 relative to the thickness of side panels 12,14 and 18.

Obviously, the hinge lines are but a fraction of the thickness of the panels and thus contribute to the ease with which the panels and base plate can be pivoted relative to each other. Furthermore, the manner in which holder 10 can be shipped in a knock-down or flattened condition is readily apparent.

Although the instant invention has been set forth as a holder for writing implements, it would be equally valuable as a receptacle. for spectacles, bobby pins, paper clips, etc. Additionally, a calendar pad could be secured to one of the side panels and attractive advertising slogans imprinted on the other side panels. Brief written instructions for assembling the holder could be imprinted on the lower face of bottom plate 22. Manifestly, the low cost, ease of assembly, and attractiv e appearance enable the instant invention to find utlllty in numerous other environments. Accordingly,

since numerous modifications of the invention may be made without departing from the scope thereof, it is to be understood that all matter herein set forth or shown in the accompanying drawings is to be interpreted as illustrative in nature and not in a limiting sense.

What is claimed is:

l. A plastic, self-locking holder for writing implements or the like comprising:

a. a planar base plate of triangular configuration,

b. a plurality of panels integrally formed with said base plate, said plate and said panels resting in the same plane prior to erection of the holder,

c. integrally formed hinge means joining said base plate to said panels and said panels to one another so that said base plate and said panels can be pivoted relative to one another,

d. aligning tabs formed on said base plate and corresponding slots defined in said panels,

e. integrally formed locking means defined between the free ends of said panels,

f. camming surfaces formed on said locking means,

g. said camming surfaces momentarily flexing at least one of said panels as said panels are snapped together and retained in erected condition by said locking means, and

h. said panels and said base plate defining an upwardly opening, substantially triangular erected holder when viewed in horizontal cross-section and a foreshortened pyramid when viewed in elevation.

2. A plastic holder as defined in claim 1 wherein said locking means comprises tabs formed on the free end of one of said panels and slots formed adjacent to the free end of another one of said panels.

3. A plastic holder as defined in claim 1 wherein a first and second series of ribs are formed on one face of said base plate, said series of ribs intersecting each other to define shallow compartments.

4. A plastic holder as defined in claim 1 wherein said plurality of panels comprises three panels, each of said panels being trapezoidal when viewed in front elevation, and each of said panels slanting inwardly as it extends upwardly above said base plate in erected condition.

5. A plastic holder as defined in claim 4 wherein two of the three panels are identical in size and the third panel is slightly larger than the other two panels.

I i i l 1B 

1. A plastic, self-locking holder for writing implements or the like comprising: a. a planar base plate of triangular configuration, b. a plurality of panels integrally formed with said base plate, said plate and said panels resting in the same plane prior to erection of the holder, c. integrally formed hinge means joining said base plate to said panels and said panels to one another so that said base plate and said panels can be pivoted relative to one another, d. aligning tabs formed on said base plate and corresponding slots defined in said panels, e. integrally formed locking means defined between the free ends of said panels, f. camming surfaces formed on said locking means, g. said camming surfaces momentarily flexing at least one of said panels as said panels are snapped together and retained in erected condition by said locking means, and h. said panels and said base plate defining an upwardly opening, substantially triangular erected holder when viewed in horizontal cross-section and a foreshortened pyramid when viewed in elevation.
 2. A plastic holder as defined in claim 1 wherein said locking means comprises tabs formed on the free end of one of said panels and slots formed adjacent to the free end of another one of said panels.
 3. A plastic holder as defined in claim 1 wherein a first and second series of ribs are formed on one face of said base plate, said series of ribs intersecting each other to define shallow compartments.
 4. A plastic holder as defined in claim 1 wherein said plurality of panels comprises three panels, each of said panels being trapezoidal when viewed in front elevation, and each of said panels slanting inwardly as it extends upwardly above said base plate in erected condition.
 5. A plastic holder as defined in claim 4 wherein two of the three panels are identical in size and the third panel is slightly larger than the other two panels. 